Bentley Man of match performance

[Yorkshire Blue]

If Benyon had missed, people would have been wanting to talk more about the penalty-takers.

Smith's this season's primary goat though.

We should however be talking about BBBC's return to majestic form.

I'd been thinking he needed a goal for his last few appearances and was conscious that he hadn't scored for a while. He hit the woodwork up at Bury in the last minute after Timlin had hit the same spot and then at home in the re=match from a pull-back which was thumped against the bar. He then had a couple of sub appearances where he missed chances he'd usually take, culminating in the very un-Corr like miss against Gills and the second one that was blocked on the line. I felt he was looking a little too hard for that goal. Even when he wasn't scoring he was getting in good scoring positions. Now his confidence is up I expect him to make Tomlin's November and December run seem like a drought.

LEGEND.

 

[Pubey]

Benyon was lucky,,,,,,

All penalties have an element of luck. He has barely played, not played particularly well, came on in the 85th minute and we immediately conceded, and then had to step up and take a decisive penalty. Good on him for putting it away and perhaps he could have a role to play for SUFC.

 

[stickyboy]

just got back, topsy turvy game. Brave choice to bring Bentley on just before pens. Smiths reaction was shocking , even the announcer said after he stood there for 2 mins "Come on Smith, Come on" then he stormed down tunnel , no shaking hands with Bentley and didnt come out at end of game. Yes he may be upset but is wasnt Bentleys fault. Smith majorly at fault for 2nd "goal" (which also was never in). Sturrock has said in interview maybe he should have warned Smith beforehand with means Smith may have got away with his tantrum. For me would like Smith dropped to ESC game tomorrow now as punishment

 

[Earls Hall Blue]

I don't know why people bother trying to defend Paul Smith. I haven't seen him have a decent game for us yet. He always looks like he can't be bothered. He was awful again tonight, he is such a flapper. I think I would be less concerned if we had Stevie Wonder between the sticks. It was the right decision by Sturrock to bring Bentley on as he a bit of a penalty specialist. Smith's behaviour was a disgrace. Hope Bentley starts against Exeter on Saturday.

You wasn't at Gillingham NYD then? Because if it wasn't for him we would have been dead & buried by half-time.

Smith has cost us no more than any other player this season. I've said it before that Tomlin's woeful finishing at the start of the season has probably cost us more points than Smith's so called mistakes, but I see no threads ripping him apart.

As for some of the vitriol aimed at Smith that I've seen on social media sites tonight, one of our own players, well tbh I dont know how those people call themselves fan's.

 

[Massimo Giovanni]

Smith is certainly a good keeper for this division, Bentley is making improvements that come with age and experiences.
PS made the changes and neither party handled it well.
They are all men and will think and talk it over in the light of day, learn and move forward.
I do hope those "supporters" who give the "never forgive" stuff out show some maturity and do the same.
Smith, Bentley and PS are vital to this season being a success.

 

[Sandbach Shrimper]

I really hope our fans don't all turn on Smith now, he seems to be the current main target for the moronic boo-boys at Roots Hall and now they have an excuse. The bloke is clearly a confidence player and it's not going to help him being booed and abused like what happened to Mildenhall when he first joined and strikers like Paynter, Harrold etc. I can understand Smith's reaction - if I'd played the 90-min match then got subbed for the penalty shoot-out for a 19 year-old to take alll the glory I think I'd be a bit miffed. Sturrock admitted afterwards he should've told Smith that he was planning to do it. I'm sure it was a heat of the moment thing and he regrets his actions. I hope he's man enough to come out and apologise to Sturrock, Bentley and the fans, if not then he does deserve some criticism. I doubt he'll be dropped now, he's our number 1 and some of our 'fans' need to accept that.

 

[hockleyeast1964]

oops i hope he didn't hear the chant to Bentley when came over then:unsure:

 

[MK Shrimper]

Yep and who was to say Smith wouldn't have saved all of them? unlikely i know but i would expect at least one to be saved.

Agreed. Penalties is just luck, pure and simple. I completely understand Smith's frustration in being subbed - the Oxford players wouldn't have the foggiest about Bentley's FA Cup saves. This could massively backfire on Luggy and I wouldn't be surprised in Smith has a "wedding in France" on Saturday.

 

[fbm]

I really hope our fans don't all turn on Smith now, he seems to be the current main target for the moronic boo-boys at Roots Hall and now they have an excuse. The bloke is clearly a confidence player and it's not going to help him being booed and abused like what happened to Mildenhall when he first joined and strikers like Paynter, Harrold etc. I can understand Smith's reaction - if I'd played the 90-min match then got subbed for the penalty shoot-out for a 19 year-old to take alll the glory I think I'd be a bit miffed. Sturrock admitted afterwards he should've told Smith that he was planning to do it. I'm sure it was a heat of the moment thing and he regrets his actions. I hope he's man enough to come out and apologise to Sturrock, Bentley and the fans, if not then he does deserve some criticism. I doubt he'll be dropped now, he's our number 1 and some of our 'fans' need to accept that.

Forget personalities and ability etc... no player, regardless of position, should get away with that kind of public subordination. If Cresswell had done the same my feelings should be the same. Smith should have walked off, shaken Bentley's hand (after all, it's not his fault) and then taken issue with PS privately over the matter rather than going straight down the tunnel and not joining in the celebrations.

I see Sturrock has acknowledged his part and that maybe he could have handled it better, so hopefully the matter is concluded.

Regardless of that, is that the first time ever a keeper has been brought on for penalties? What a masterstroke and almost an absolute no lose situation. Oxford must think this keeper must have a brilliant penalty saving record so that could affect their thinking as to how the penalties would be taken.

I wonder if this will set a trend?

 

[Pubey]

Forget personalities and ability etc... no player, regardless of position, should get away with that kind of public subordination. If Cresswell had done the same my feelings should be the same. Smith should have walked off, shaken Bentley's hand (after all, it's not his fault) and then taken issue with PS privately over the matter rather than going straight down the tunnel and not joining in the celebrations.

I see Sturrock has acknowledged his part and that maybe he could have handled it better, so hopefully the matter is concluded.

Regardless of that, is that the first time ever a keeper has been brought on for penalties? What a masterstroke and almost an absolute no lose situation. Oxford must think this keeper must have a brilliant penalty saving record so that could affect their thinking as to how the penalties would be taken.

I wonder if this will set a trend?

Sky Sports News definitely picked up on it. It'd be interesting to see if anyone else in the game comments on it.

 

[BrettieAngell]

Fist time I've ever heard of a keeper being taken off for a shoot-out, brave call and in the end it worked!

 

[Norwichshrimper]

Fist time I've ever heard of a keeper being taken off for a shoot-out, brave call and in the end it worked!

It's not common, but it's far from unheard of. Probably because more often than not at the end of 120 minutes (or 90 as last night) all permitted subs have been used

 

[BrettieAngell]

It's not common, but it's far from unheard of. Probably because more often than not at the end of 120 minutes (or 90 as last night) all permitted subs have been used

Yeah i thought that, still its a new one on me.

 

[MK Shrimper]

Fist time

Bet that was exactly what Paul Smith was thinking when he was subbed. :smile:

 

[Shrimper2thecore]

This should just go down as an excellent decision by PS.

Nothing to say Smith wouldn't have saved any, but this would have certainly got in Oxford's heads.

 

[londonblue]

I have a lot of sympathy for Smith here. Let's be honest, he knows that he isn't universally liked, and people are looking to blame him for anything and everything . He must have seen the penalty shoot out as his chance to get his haters either on side, or at the very least shut them up. He must have been really upset at not being given that opportunity.

However, that doesn't condone his decision not to shake hands with Bentley. To defend him on that front (even though I disagree with his behaviour) I remember seeing an FA Cup game on TV a few years back that was about to go to penalties. One of the teams was a non-league team, and their manager (Russell Slade) subbed their 'keeper right at the end of extra time, and they went on to win the shoot out. That 'keeper's reaction was even worse. Once he was off the pitch he had a complete fit, until Slade managed to calm him down. At least Smith hid himself away.

 

[dannypav]

I can totally understand Smiths reaction.
Sure , I get all the 'team game' comments and he should have shaken Bentleys hand , but as most have said , subbing an unjured goalie is a little out of the norm and he was understandably shocked and hacked off.
I'm sure he has apologised to Bentley and they will move on.

Other issues from it.
Sturrock should have told Smith ?
Get out of here , he's the Manager and can do what he wants.
Smiths concentration may have dropped if he knew he was coming off.

Smiths confidence going forward ?
This one bothers me more than anything.
Nobody knows how he will react , but he does not look the most confident guy I've seen , and many of our 'home' fans have made it quite clear to him at each home game , what they think of him.
Whatever way you look at this , and I applaud Luggy's decision ( which could have made him look stupid if Bentley hadn't saved any ) , it will not improve Smiths confidence.

I really hope he plays on Saturday and has a blinder.
Bentley is our future , but Smith has done really well this year and should remain our No 1.

One final thing.
When you look back at all the criticism on here about Smiths abilities ( and lack of ) , the one positive that comes up time and time again , is that he is a GOOD SHOT STOPPER.

Surely that is a fair requirement in a penalty shoot out ?................... just saying

 

[stickyboy]

aside from penalty shoot outs was has been outcome of any penalties against us this season?

 

[GrumpyBlue]

I honestly cant believe the hoorah over this subsitution and the potential to damage the dressing room etc.

When Bentley saved 2 penatlies in the last round and id say 90% of the fans on this board wanted him to get a run in the team, Sturrock stood by his No1 who is Smith and played him in the next games.

This was just a judgement call by the manager that he fancied Bentley for penalties more than Smith, nothing more and nothing less. I really dont see what all the song and dance is about. Yeah if i was Smith id be upset as penalties are great for keepers as there is no real pressure and a good opportuntiy to be a hero and im not that bothered he stormed off, these things happen spur of the moment and it shows he cares.

End of story, we won the game and now we move on to the next.

My view exactly - why don`t the `fans` get off Smith`s back - PS knows what he is doing.

 

[hockleyeast1964]

Scoring 5 penalties did make it quite easy for dan bentley .But watching Bentley on the 2nd and and 3rd penalties he made a point of moving to the left before the ball was struck.Next penalty put in the right corner Bentley saves it,he definately knows how to win a penalty mind game.